Join OSU Extension as we present a hands-on, intensive soybean management workshop for Ohio Crop Producers that will help you become a more profitable soybean producer. This workshop will feature Dr. Laura Lindsey, Soybean/Wheat Extension Specialist; Dr. Kelley Tilmon, Field Crop Extension Entomologist; Dr. Mark Loux, Extension Weed Specialist; Dr. Leah McHale, Soybean Breeding and Genetics Specialist; and Dr. Anne Dorrance, Field Crop Extension Pathologist.

The Ohio State Digital Ag team is hosting four regional eFields meetings this month. Join us to learn more about the eFields program and results we are seeing across the state. Each meeting will feature presentations highlighting local trials including seeding rate, nutrient management, and crop management. There will be a panel discussion featuring cooperating farmers who are conducting on-farm research with Ohio State Extension. We would also like to hear from you about what topics you are interested in seeing in eFields in the future.

February 5 Dr. Pierce Paul, OSU Extension State Specialist in Corn and Small Grain Diseases will speak to the Conservation Tillage Club about Corn Diseases.  Although the current crop season started out with few corn diseases, gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight did appear in some area corn fields.  Later in the growing season, some farmers experienced corn ear rots which had an impact on grain quality.  Dr. Paul will discuss these and other disease issues in corn production, providing recommendations for effective control.  Deciding when the disease reaches an economic threshold for fungicide treatment is only one factor to consider.  The other one is the window of opportunity to make application for best control.  Producers will learn about these topics as well as choosing a disease resistance package while selecting the best hybrid for a field will be part of this meeting’s message.      

The January 22 program will feature Bailey Elchinger, an INTL FC Stone, Risk Management Consultant with Grains.  Her presentation will focus on the 2019 Grain Marketing Outlook.  After experiencing a high yielding growing season this year with lower grain prices, farmers are looking for marketing tips to make the new year more profitable.  World events such as trade with China, changing weather patterns, production in other crop producing areas, and the abundant supply of grains have had an impact on the current markets.  Elchinger will discuss some of these events and how they could impact market projections for 2019.  Her presentation will also provide some insight about grain marketing options to consider and tools that producers might use to help reduce risk and gain better insight to help make better marketing decisions.